Human Rights Council Resolution on human rights in peaceful protests

On 6th of July 2018, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution (A/HRC/RES/38/11) on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests. This resolution builds on previous resolutions, in particular the resolution accompanying the compilation of practical recommendations for the proper management of assemblies based on best practices and lessons learned prepared by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. In this new resolution the Human Rights Council stresses the importance of protests and public assemblies for a healthy society and a functioning democracy. It recalls the duty of state authorities to effectively facilitate assemblies, and to protect participants and observers to public assembles, including groups who might face particular risks, such as children and women. Emphasis is placed on the need to avoid the use of force and to respect the principles of necessity and proportionality – the latter being particularly relevant for the use of lethal force that must be limited to situations of an imminent threat to life and that may not be used for the purpose of dispersing an assembly. Finally, states are urged to ensure full accountability for any human rights violations committed in the course of assemblies.